Kroniz FC and Guru-Guru Sekolah Rendah Tutong (GGSRT) served up a thrilling derby clash at UBD Field on Monday afternoon, both sides settling for a point in a 5-5 draw.
The result might not have done much in terms of advancing either team’s aspirations, but it was otherwise an excellent afternoon from both as they put their best faces forward and provided a good showcase.
Kroniz FC had the better of the first half, Aliuddin goal and Alinordi two goals against GGSRT two goals put them in what seemed a commanding position going 3-2 into the half-time interval.
But the GGSRT outfit, rallied strongly in the second period and earned their share of the spoils through further three goals against Kroniz two goals from Roslan.
Kroniz with almost full attandence had plenty of choice for the starting eleven and even afford to rest Kroniz playmaker Pg Ariffin.
Kronizs were tigerish presence early on, getting into tackles and doing their best to keep up with the high-energy opening both teams were engaging in.
Not for nothing were kroniz known for their explosive brand of pressing football, and they used that to their advantage to race to a goal lead inside 10 minutes.
A move involving Zainal and Alinordi powering just outside the penalty area, before he fell into a heap under a challenge from GGSRT defender.
The referee did not hesitate in giving a free kick just outside the penalty area, and Aliuddin coolly converted the free kick with a thunder bolt with 1o minutes shown on the clock surprising GGSRT keeper.
Six minutes later, kroniz were punished for some careless play as GGSRT striker sprang in to dispossess Kucang before storming more than 30 yards down the right flank and crossing the ball for an easy tap in leaving Julaihi stranded.
The second goal from GGSRT had no warning signs of any kind coming before it, yet that was exactly the kind of goal Kroniz had difficulty guarding against, and it was particularly fine reward for GGSRT winger, who was industriously running all over the left field managed to score an unlikely goal from 30 meters.
But kroniz were no push over, and they had their response on 23 minutes when Alinordi pulled a goal back to make it 2-2 after a scramble in front of GGSRT goal.
The third kroniz goal was straight and simple stuff from Alinordi, having stroked the ball low between keeper and the near post after a one-two with a teammate Roslan.
The first half ended with Kroniz FC leading 3-2.
The start of the second half to the surprised of Kroniz, GGSRT made it 3-3 with a driving low shot in between the legs of kroniz keeper Rosli.
However kroniz showed that, mentally and technically, they were a fine match for the side they were hosting.
Pg Yusof headed Arch’s cross a touch off target shortly afterwards as they continued pressing at the GGSRT defence, before Pg Suffian played a cool through pass to Gnoh, and cross to Roslan to fire his shot on target going into the lead again.
That goal marked the start of a new wave of attacks from the GGSRT, as they used their physical strength well to force Kroniz into mistakes they could exploit.
One such moment came went GGSRT striker got involved again, having picked up a ball that had gone from right to left before drawing two defenders with him on the periphery of the penalty area.
Sulaiman was helpless as he struggled to close down the GGSRT striker, who got into a tangle with three Kroniz players, and the striker profited as he rushed in to claim the loose ball and stroke it into the net with Rosli out of sight to make it 4-4.
Kroniz showed new life in the way they moved about now, and that was a delight to see as they kept up their pace, quick thinking and full-bodied commitment to push GGSRT.
Roslan could have had the game dead and buried with the fifth goal as he focused his shot off an excellent Arch cutback, a quick-witted Roslan immediately came in from the right flank to claim the ball, before blasting high into the roof of the net despite GGSRT keeper recovering to cover the angle.
But the prevailing thought at the time was that the Kroniz were almost home and dry against an GGSRT side showing signs of deflation. Almost’ was not good enough to kill the GGSRT’s spirits though, and they came up with the perfect response just two minutes from time ending the game with 5-5.
The fans – only one (Jamri) – was in fine voice too as he cheered their heroes on, letting his hearts pump hard to the beat of the game.
And the beat went faster and faster as both sides threatened to score the killer goal of the game however it never came.
That it did not happen might have been an imperfection in the eyes of the partisans, but for any neutral, it was an absolute treat both sides had served up.
So generous, so continuous and so back-and-forth was the flow of the game that, perhaps, it deserved a better stage than a friendly context where the winning-is-everything mentality becomes an excuse for playing drably.
There was certainly nothing drab about the game on this occasion, and the only fan were appreciative of that as he applauded the two teams upon hearing the final whistle.
During the post mortem at one of the Nasi Katok Restaurant in Rimba, Kroniz players made the following statements.
Kroniz goalkeeper Rosli believed that fans who had turned up for the clash with got their money’s worth of entertainment after both sides served up a 5-5 draw at UBD Field.
The match was an open affair for much of the time as both sides threw everything they had at each other, leading to what Shafie regarded as a positive development for Kroniz.
“It was end-to-end stuff, and both teams played so well, either team could have won the game,” said Alinordi after the match.
“It was good football, definitely. It was a good showcase of the good things in the friendly: both teams giving their best, going all out, and it’s a good result for football" added Hadi.
“Yes, between each of us (Julaihi and Rosli) we let in five goals, but sometimes there will be some goals that any goalkeeper cannot prevent. That happens in football" defended Rosli
“Maybe some of the goals that happened tonight can be prevented, and we should go back and take a look so that we can prepare for the upcoming game. But take nothing away from this game; it was good football.” Jamri said.
Kroniz Ast manager Pg Ariffin saluted Kroniz players for their part in the pulsating encounter, graciously acknowledging the quality they had shown while congratulating them for their excellent work.
“GGSRT were simply too good in the second half,” said Omar without hesitation.
“You couldn’t say that we let them back into the game, they really worked for it. But that’s good stuff from them; I’m not disappointed about not winning, because both teams worked hard for this game.” he added further.
Pg Suffian was more inclined to see the proverbial glass as half-empty, however, as he reflected on his team’s performance.
Revealing that the team had been working hard, he acknowledged there was work to be done to make the backline more impenetrable.
“We were playing to win, but we made it difficult for ourselves,” he said wryly.
“We showed in the first half that we can play, when we pushed forward and tried to find goals, so that is one good thing. But we need to think about our defending if we want to win games.” Shafie added.
“In the second half, we made too many mistakes and lost three goals, and we’re really disappointed with that. We were preparing for this game with a target not to let in any goals, so to lose five means we need to think about our preparations again" Alinordi said while eating nasi ayam penyet.
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